Empowering Women Ending Violence Review of the Zimbabwe...

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Empowering Women – Ending Violence Review of the Zimbabwe Project

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Gender Links (GL) is committed to an inclusive, equal and just society in the public and private space in accordance with the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. GL achieves its vision through a people-centred approach guided by the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development that is aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals, Beijing Plus Twenty and Africa Agenda 2063. Working with partners at local, national, regional and international level, GL: • Promotes gender equality in and through the media, and in all areas of governance. • Develops policies and action plans to ensure that gender equality is achieved, especially at the local level. • Builds the capacity of women, men and all citizens to engage critically in democratic processes that advance equality and justice. Empowering Women - Ending Violence in Zimbabwe © Copyright 2016

30 Samora Machel Avenue

Nicoz Diamond Building

Harare, Zimbabwe

Tel: +263 4 798600

Cell: +263 772 735722

Email: [email protected]

Website address: www.genderlinks.org.za

Cover photo: Some of the wares made by Msanda Ncube of Victoria Falls

Photo: Loverage Nhamoyebonde

http://gemcommunity.genderlinks.org.za/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=56460

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Contents 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ 6

2. CONTEXT ...................................................................................................................................... 9

3. KEY COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAMME ..................................................................... 16

4. CHANGE AT AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL - FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS ACUMEN ... 25

5. CHANGES AT AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL – PERSONAL AGENCY ................................. 33

6. CHANGES AT A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP HOUSEHOLD LEVEL ................................... 40

7. CHANGES AT A COMMUNITY LEVEL ................................................................................ 45

8. CHANGE AT SOCIETAL LEVEL ............................................................................................. 49

9. VALUE FOR MONEY ................................................................................................................ 51

10. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................... 54

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Acknowledgements The first acknowledgement is for the survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) who shared their stories and participated in the programme. Your generosity of spirit and commitment to changing the lives of other women has been an extraordinary experience. The following Gender Focal Persons provided invaluable support to the project in each council: Audrey Manyemwe (Bulawayo City Council); Mary Mukonyora (Chitungwiza Municipality); Constance Chinyemba (Goromonzi Rural District Council); Diana Tsuro (Zvimba Rural District Council); Bridgette Ananiah (Manyame Rural District Council); Mattie Dhliwayo (Kadoma City Council); Brian Nyamande (Municipality of Victoria Falls); Unity Jaji (Gweru City Council); Precious Mutsetse (Chiredzi Town Council), and Tonderai Parayiwa (Chegutu Municipality). Gender Links (GL) CEO Colleen Lowe Morna, working with Entrepreneurship advisor Anne Hilton, Governance Manager Mariatu Fonnah, and Monitoring and Evaluation advisor Monica Bandeira devised the methodology for this assessment, and provided strategic guidance. Priscilla Maposa, Zimbabwe Country Manager provided oversight of the project. Thandiwe Mlobane facilitated the training with the support of the GL Country Manager Priscilla Maposa. GL Finance Officer Abigail Karikoga, M & E Officer Tapiwa Zvaraya, Senior Programme Officer Kevin Chiramba, and Intern Loverage Nhamoyebonde all played a key role in gathering and analysis of data. Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Fanuel Hadzizi checked M&E data for the project. The UNWomen Fund for Gender Equality, FOKUS and the Netherlands government Funding Leadership Opportunities for Women (FLOW) generously contributed to this and the bigger Zimbabwean project. ZB Bank assisted some of the women with funding for projects. Mobile telecommunications company NetOne has given the women a source of income through its vendorship programme where the women sell and market NetOne merchandise for a commission.

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Abbreviations

CBO Community Based Organisation CEO Chief Executive Officer COE Centres of Excellence in Local Government FLOW Funding Leadership Opportunities for Women GBV Gender Based Violence GC Gender Champion GEI Gender Empowerment Index GFP Gender Focal Person GL Gender Links IT Information Technology MLGPWNH Ministry of Local Government, Public Works & National Housing MRDPPNCH Ministry of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National

Culture and Heritage MWAGCD Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender & Community Development NAP National Action Plan to end violence against women and children NGO Non-Governmental Organisation SADC Southern African Development Community SDGs Sustainable Development Goals ToC Theory of Change ToT Training of Trainers WCoZ Women‟s Coalition of Zimbabwe ZimAsset Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY For 13 years Monica Mhoshiwa suffered abuse in her

marriage but could speak out about it until 2010. That did not

solve her problem because her husband became more violent.

She lost her job and went to the Musasa Project that offers

counselling and shelter to survivors of gender violence for help.

Musasa Project introduced Mhoshiwa to Gender Links (GL) for the

entrepreneurship programme. "Because of GL I now believe in

myself and I am not scared to take risks. I now have a nose for

opportunities surrounding me. I was taught about Gender Based

Violence (GBV) and entrepreneurship as a way of empowering me

as a survivor of abuse. I am living testimony to the fact that the

programme was very useful as it brought positive change in my

life. Many aspects of my life changed for the better and I began

to look at myself in a positive manner. The feeling of rejection

disappeared and for the first time in my life I felt that I was good

on my own. The lessons about setting up a business were an eye

opener for me and everything made sense to me. I did not need a man to have the kind of

life that I desire.” Mhoshiwa has started and grown a business. She has since opened an

informal trader account with a local bank. She now believes in herself and is not afraid to

take risks.

In 2013 GL set out to test whether economic independence could help to reduce the scourge of gender violence through a unique programme involving life skills and entrepreneurship training for survivors of violence linked to work with local councils. The project targeted 15 survivors in each of 100 councils in ten SADC countries, or 1500 women in total. The pilot councils form part of the 425 Centres of Excellence for Gender in Local Government that follow a ten stage process that includes developing gender action plans with flagship programmes for ending gender violence. The pilot phase, completed in the first half of 2015, reached 186 women. This report is part of the follow up monitoring and evaluation involving a range of qualitative and quantitative tools that revolve around the Gender Empowerment Index (GEI) developed for the programme. The GEI is a composite index based on several questionnaires administered at the start and close out of the programme to measure agency, entrepreneurial flair, relationship control, gender attitudes and experience of gender based violence (GBV). In Zimbabwe the project ran in ten provinces, Harare, Bulawayo, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Midlands, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Masvingo, and Manicaland. A total of 150 women participated. UN Women‟s Fund for Gender Equality (FGE) supported the work in Zimbabwe as part of the bigger regional programme supported by the Netherlands‟ government Fund for Leadership Opportunities for Women (FLOW).

Monica Mhoshiwa_ GBV

Survivor Gweru City Council_ Photo: Loverage Nhamoyebonde http://gemcommunity.genderlinks.org.za/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=56397

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Figure 1.1 summarises the overall results for each of the components of the GEI survey undertaken as both baseline and follow up research. These results are significant because they provide a picture of the results of the pilot programme in Zimbabwe. They show the potential, even in this short space of time, for entrepreneurship training to enable survivors of GBV to reclaim their lives in a significant way. The most significant change was the increase in the score for entrepreneurial flair from 81% to 86%. This can be attributed to the high levels of confidence women showed before starting the programme. The number of businesses started as a result of the training increased steadily from 72% to 74% - a 2 percentage point increase. Personal agency increased by 3% and attitudes towards gender equality rose by 1% but relationship control stayed the same which indicates that not all women were able to transfer the agency to more power in their relationships. This is also demonstrated in the overall figure of GBV experiences increasing by 3%. This implies that overall the programme in Zimbabwe did not achieve significant changes in personal agency and reduction of GBV in this short span of time. But the average figures mask important changes at council and individual level. At 62%, gender attitudes in the community, as measured by the Gender Progress Score (GPS) remained the same, compared to the results in the rest of the region in which this increased by a few percentage points. While drastic changes cannot be expected in this short space of time, the outcome points to the need to strengthen gender and GBV action plans in councils to ensure a supportive environment for the programme as well as transformative and sustainable change. Centres of Excellence (COE) councils were selected on the basis of a stated willingness to take on the project. Some, such as Bulawayo, Chiredzi, and Kadoma, showed exemplary commitment, through in-kind support, infrastructure, opportunities and an enabling environment for the programme. However going forward it is essential that the vetting of

81% 77% 72% 68% 69%

59% 56% 52%

86% 80%

74% 71% 70% 62% 59%

54%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

Figure 1.1 Overview of Zimbabwe

Baseline Progress

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councils, real commitment and resources to do so effectively, be more robust, as the project received varying degrees of support from the Councils. The number of participants slightly fell from 186 at the beginning of the programme to 150 at the M&E stage of repeat „I‟ Stories. Facilitators and participants noted the long periods between workshops and a lack of support between these. This should be addressed going forward when timetables are set for workshop implementation. Given the diversity of languages in Zimbabwe, it was sometimes difficult for participants to understand the manuals in English and levels of literacy and numeracy varied. Lessons learned on this front need to be built into future programming. Manuals should be revised on the basis of comments and inputs made from facilitators through their experiences and this should include more attention to language and translation. Where councils have existing entrepreneurship development services, these should be integrated upfront to take on the role of mentorship especially for those businesses with growth potential. The terms and conditions for such arrangements should be clearly understood and monitored. This will provide an opportunity for business that already exist to be mentored during the course of the process. Another way in which the programme can be strengthened in future is for potential resource organisations in the public and private sector to join as partners from the very first workshop rather than the third one. Negotiating partnerships with potential funding agencies at national and local level should take place at the very inception of the project. Going forward the selection of, and arrangements made with councils and participants, should be reviewed to maximise the sustainability of the survivors businesses and the programme itself. Clear and prescribed arrangements should ideally be in place between GL and councils and councils and the participants to strengthen the potential for positive outcomes. Finally the programme needs more dedicated staff to implement and follow up on the progress and commitment of councils, the women and the external resources which may be available to offer support in the form of mentoring and opportunities. Such a framework will enhance the relationships and operational capacity to effect positive change in the lives of the women.

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2. CONTEXT

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It borders South Africa to the south, Botswana to the west, Zambia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east1. Harare and Bulawayo are the largest and the second largest cities respectively. The 2012 census reported that Zimbabwe is an ethnically diverse country of roughly 13 million people (52% female and 48% male). Zimbabwe adopted a new constitution in March 2013 which now recognises 16 official languages, with

English, Shona and Ndebele being the most commonly used2. According to the World Health Organisation, the life expectancy for men was 56 years and was 61 years of age for women (2013)3. Women have been disproportionately affected by the social, political and economic vicissitudes of the last decade. The 2015 SADC Gender Protocol Barometer shows that with a SADC Gender and Development Index score of 66%, Zimbabwe comes ninth out of the 15 SADC countries. The 2012 VAW Baseline study conducted by GL shows that more than two in three Zimbabwean women experience violence over their lifetime. About one quarter of the population is unemployed and lives on less than USD1.904 a day. Gender and governance GL‟s work is guided by the 28 targets of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development that brings together specific targets for achieving gender equality and enhances these through specific targets and time frames. Originally aligned to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) the SADC Gender Protocol is being updated and aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Many of these targets are still far from being achieved. For example, Zimbabwe took a step backwards when, in its last local elections before 2015 held in 2013, women‟s representation declined from 18.8% to 16.2%. Women‟s representation in parliament however rose from 19% to 34% in the 2013 national elections owing to the proportional representation. The next local elections will be held in 2018. While no legislated quota has been adopted, the country has a 30% quota for women in parliament. Pressure is high for all parties to adopt a 50% quota.

1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimbabwe 2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimbabwe 3 http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.688?lang=en 4 http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=2&country=ZWE&series=&period=

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Gender and the economy Zimbabwe has progressive policies and laws that

support the economic empowerment of women. The

country‟s Broad Based Women's Economic

Empowerment Framework, launched in 2012, calls

for the mainstreaming of women's economic

empowerment and participation in the key economic

sectors of mining, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism

and other economic sectors through enhancing

women's entrepreneurship and business ownership,

as well as their representation in key economic

decision-making positions.

Using the framework as one of its strategic policy

documents, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender

and Community Development (MWAGCD) seeks to ensure at least 25% involvement and

participation of women in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, trade and tourism by

December 2015. All of these sectors have developed policies that address the inclusion and

participation of women and in 2014, the MWAGCD commissioned reviews of the laws in

these sectors to ensure that they are aligned to the gender equality and women's rights

provisions in the Constitution.

Much of Zimbabwe's legal and policy framework also includes the objective to increase

women's participation in the economy. For example, Zimbabwe's Indigenisation and

Economic Empowerment Act (2008) provides for 51% of the shares in every public company

and any other business to be owned by indigenous Zimbabweans and Section 3(3) of the

Act states that the government can take measures on behalf of any disadvantaged

indigenous group, including women, to ensure the 51% shares ownership5.

The National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Charter, which sets out the

principles and framework for achieving indigenisation and economic empowerment, includes

provisions for “equal opportunity for all, including gender sensitive ownership and

participation in the economy by indigenous Zimbabweans6.” The Zimbabwe Agenda for

Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZimAsset)7 has inclusive clauses for economic

development. The framework has projected outputs for a women's fund, increased access to

markets and credit for women and women in 50% decision making.

Reducing poverty in Zimbabwe is one of the country‟s biggest challenges.

5 Zimbabwe's Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Programme: Extent of Opportunities for women in the Tourism Sector?, Rangu Nyamurundira, Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association, 2012. 6 Zimbabwe's Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Programme: Extent of Opportunities for women in the Tourism Sector?, Rangu Nyamurundira, Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association, 2012. 7 Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation plan, 2013.

Zimbabwean women tobacco farmers Photo: Google Images http://www.worldreview.info/sites/default/file

s/imagecache/article-image-

big557x371/zimbabwe-s-land-reform-policies-

have-destroyed-commercial-farming-

photodpa.

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Gender justice Gender based violence (GBV)8 levels in Zimbabwe are unacceptably high. GL‟s GBV Baseline Studies in six Southern African countries (covering four provinces in South Africa) measured the extent, drivers, effect, cost, prevention, protection, programmes and participation in the fight to rid our region of this scourge. In Zimbabwe, the baseline showed that over three quarters (68%) report experiencing some form of violence (emotional, economic, physical or sexual) at least once in their lifetime both within and outside their intimate relationships. A lower proportion of men (46%), compared to women admitted to perpetrating some form of violence against women. The study showed alarming rates in all countries studied as shown in Figure 2.1.

As reflected in Figure 2.1, the studies found that 89% of women in Zambia‟s four districts of Kitwe, Mansa, Kasama and Mazabuka; 86% of women in Lesotho, 68% of women in Zimbabwe, 67% of women in Botswana; 50% of women in South Africa‟s Gauteng, Western Cape; KwaZulu Natal and Limpopo provinces and 24% of women in Mauritius have experienced GBV over their lifetime. A higher proportion of women compared to men reported GBV experiences in all six countries. Gender Links in Zimbabwe GL is a non-profit Southern African organisation headquartered in Johannesburg, with offices in ten of the 15 SADC countries. GL is committed to an inclusive, equal and just society in the public and private space in accordance with the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. GL achieves its vision through its three inter-related media, governance and justice programmes. At a regional level, GL provides the secretariat for the Southern African Gender Protocol Alliance, led in Zimbabwe by the Women‟s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ). The Alliance is now spearheading the campaign for the Post 2015 agenda that includes strengthening the targets of the protocol. Key target areas include women‟s rights, economic justice and

8 GBV in this leaflet refers to any act that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm

or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life (Article 2 of the 1993 UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women).

89 86

68 67

50

24

72

41 46 44

39

23

0

20

40

60

80

100

Zambia Lesotho Zimbabwe Botswana South Africa Mauritius

Figure 2.1: Lifetime prevalence of GBV experienced by women and perpetrated by men

Women Experience % Men Perpetration %

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ending gender violence. At national level GL has created partnerships with the MWAGCD, and the Ministry of Local Government Public Works and National Housing (MLGPWNH) as well as the Ministry of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage (MRDPPNCH). At the local level GL has, over the past five years, worked with 58 local government councils in ten provinces to become COEs for Gender in Local Government. GL has been working with ten of these councils since 2013 on an entrepreneurship training programme for women GBV survivors. Gender Links‟ Theory of Change Reinforced in formal and informal ways, gender inequality begins in the home; is perpetuated by the family; schools; work place; community, custom, culture, religion and tradition as well structures within society more broadly–the media, new media, popular culture, advertising, laws, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary and others. While society generally identifies other forms of inequality, gender inequality is so normalised that it often goes unnoticed, including by women who have been socialised to accept their inferior status. Gender inequality follows the life cycle of most women from cradle to grave. Despite changes in laws and Constitutions, many women remain minors all their lives – under their fathers, husbands, even sons, and as widows subject to male relatives. GL led the campaign for a Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development with 28 targets to be achieved by 2015. GL works to achieve these targets in its media, governance and justice programmes.9 GL‟s Theory of Change (ToC) is premised on the ecological model which assumes that the vicious negative cycle of VAW can be turned into a virtuous positive cycle by working around different initiatives that target all levels of the model from individual to societal. GL‟s work in the gender justice programme seeks to “turn around” the layers of attitudes, behaviours and practices at the level of family, community and society through a simple slogan that has been translated into dozens of local languages – “peace begins at home”. Through this programme GL also aims to test the hypothesis that economic independence can reduce a GBV survivor‟s vulnerability to further abuse through the integration of positive personal agency and sustainable economic opportunities, which can offer extended financial confidence and therefore affirmative personal choices.

9 http://www.genderlinks.org.za/article/gender-links-theory-of-change-2013-06-26

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“Economic dependence traps many women in abusive relationships. Many battered women who do not hold a paying job perceive themselves as incapable of living independently. Often in violent marriages, the husband controls all the finances and secures the family property in his name only.”10 Figure 2.2: GLs Theory of change for economic justice and ending GBV

In terms of the entrepreneurship programme this means:

Individual realm of power; life skills training. Private realm of power; taking back economic rights through entrepreneurship

training and implementation. Community realm of power; facilitating support from partnerships with the

public and private sectors, service providers of skills and financial support and funding to support the programme; financial and non-financial services to participants.

Societal realm of power; advocacy for changes that create an enabling environment for women in entrepreneurship.

The role and aims of change at the individual realm of influence and change

To develop an understanding of GBV and its impact on the survivor and their relationship with an abuser.

To develop self-respect and understanding of victimization as a result of GBV. To develop ways of building self-confidence and assertiveness. To feel positive about planning for the future.

The role of the private realm of influence and change

To develop an understanding of financial abuse in a relationship as a form of control. To develop skills that can provide an alternative source of income.

To develop confidence in the ability to support oneself and children. Build the survivors‟ confidence to make positive choices in terms of their

relationships.

10 http://www.alternativestodv.org/aboutdv/whyvictimsstay.html

SOCIETY

COMMUNITY

CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS

INDIVIDUAL

Community realm of

power – local

government, private

sector, NGOs and

funders support.

Private realm of

power –– economic

GBV as a form of

control

Intimate realm of

power - creating a

belief in the ability to

achieve economic

independence

The public realm of power

– policy/strategy to meet

the needs of women in

business – access to assets,

financial services and

business development

opportunities.

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The role of community realm of influence and change; Influence local economic development policies through GBV action plans which focus

on the mainstreaming of women in local economic development (LED) and procurement opportunities.

Influence private sector attitudes towards the economic empowerment of women and reduction of GBV through funding and or in kind assistance.

Integrate NGOs into the programme especially where skills enhancement or business finance would be available.

Influence the availability of information for women in business. Mentorship. Community-based training.

The role of societal transformation Facilitate a framework which recognizes the financial needs of women entrepreneurs

beyond micro finance.

Address legalization and enforcement of women‟s property rights. Create local and regional task forces on access to finance for women. Create platforms for consultation with women on the issues they face as entrepreneurs. Encourage gender disaggregated data on women in business at all levels. Encourage government-led SMME programed with a focus on breaking the stereotypes

of women in business. Lobby for changes in economic policies to effect financial inclusion policies in countries. Enhance the gender appropriateness of financial services, especially for

entrepreneurship, recognizing the gender barriers faced by women. Develop access to finance action plans with central banks, ministries, development

finance institutions and credit granters and other relevant stakeholders. Effect women‟s rights to land and property and other productive resources. Include provisions to achieve these in the post 2015 agenda.

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3. KEY COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAMME Target group The target group is women 18 years and older, who have experienced GBV, are unemployed or are in their own micro enterprises, from both rural and urban environments, in their countries. The participants represent a socially and economically vulnerable group of women who have faced the consequences of abuse and whose lives have likely been challenged by these experiences socially, physically, emotionally, mentally and economically. This project integrates and addresses key elements likely needed to rebuild the lives of these women, taking into account economic dispossession as the forth element of GBV in the private and public domain. Objectives

To increase women‟s agency and independence, socially, emotionally and economically.

To empower them to participate fully in all aspects of their private and public lives. To provide them with the tools to realize their economic potential as entrepreneurs.

To provide women to alternatives to persevering in situations where they experience GBV.

Break the stereotypes of women in business in emerging markets. Connect women with information, services and resources in their own countries to

enhance their ability to succeed. The three legs There are three legs to the project:

Local level action to end GBV through the Centres of Excellence for Gender in Local Government.

Identification and training of survivors of GBV in entrepreneurial skills.

Links through Local Economic Development Plans to opportunities created by the councils.

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COE programme summary The COE programme is implemented at the level closest to the majority of people, local government. The programme is designed to enhance policy implementation, action planning and on-site training backed by evidence that informs programme design and implementation. The COE programme focuses on the mainstreaming of gender in local government through a unique, UN-acclaimed11 model in which councils go through a ten-stage process to become Centres of Excellence for Gender in Local Government, and share good practices at district, national and regional summits. Councils in Zimbabwe, form the primary level of democratically elected government structures in the country. They are composed of elected councillors and appointed officers. Zimbabwe has 92 local authorities. The COEs include councils located in rural and urban settings, in all the ten provinces of the country. The COE model is a ten stage process which is described in the table below:

Stage Process Principles 1 Meetings with management

and political teams and adoption of COE process.

Political support: Getting buy-in at decision-making level.

2 Undertaking a gender audit of the council.

An evidence-based approach: Conducting a situation analysis that is council-specific and will help to address the needs of that council.

3 Mobilising meeting with council representatives and popularising the SADC protocol on Gender and Development.

Community mobilisation through SADC Gender Protocol village level workshops that familiarise communities with the provisions of the sub-regional instrument and empower them to hold their council‟s accountable.

4 Inception workshop. Action planning: Conducting council-specific gender and action plan workshops that localise national and district gender policies and action plans. 5 Action planning workshop

6 Adoption of the action plan. Commitment: Getting councils to make a public statement about their intentions with regard to the action plan.

7 Media, campaigning skills. Capacity building through on-the-job training with council officials and political leaders. Assisting councils and communities to apply these new skills through running major campaigns, e.g. 365 Days to End Gender Violence; the 50/50 campaign etc. 8 IT for advocacy.

9 Monitoring and evaluation Tracking: Administration of score cards and other monitoring and evaluation tools that can be used to measure change in the immediate, medium and long terms.

10 Summit Knowledge creation and dissemination: Working to gather and disseminate best practises, case studies, etc. that can be presented at the annual gender justice and local government summit.

GL annually conducts the verification exercise with COE councils as a Monitoring & Evaluation exercise to track the progress of implementation of the process within councils. The exercise takes place with the various COE councils in the various provinces. GL re-administered the Gender Scorecard to track progress. It was also an opportunity to establish the amount of in kind support councils have been contributing towards gender mainstreaming.

11 The COE model is one of seven best practices in mainstreaming gender in Africa featured in a compendium of good practice on gender mainstreaming by the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

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The COE councils which implemented the life skills and entrepreneurship project are Bulawayo City Council, Chitungwiza, Chiredzi, Gweru, Goromonzi, Manyame, Kadoma, Victoria Falls, Zvimba, and Chegutu. All of these councils implemented the pilot for the life skills and entrepreneurship programme. All of the COE councils in Zimbabwe have designated Gender Focal Persons (GFP) tasked with ensuring that gender mainstreaming is implemented within the institutions. Councils are also backed by gender champions who are the politicians directly interfacing with people on the ground. Chegutu and Victoria Falls councils have male gender focal persons. 58 COE councils have adopted Gender Action Plans (GAP). However, many of the plans remain in draft format and have yet to be finalised, costed and adopted by the councils

Entrepreneurship training The first stage of the training provides a combination of life skills training and an introduction to entrepreneurship. This phase is aptly called “Taking charge” and is aimed at building confidence, self-esteem and a belief in a future with the prospect of economic independence. The second workshop then reintroduces and reinforces concepts and

provides further and more in-depth knowledge of business management principles and skills. Topics covered include starting up a business, start-up costing market research, the importance of location, diversity, basic financial skills such as cash flow, record keeping, stock control and funding. The importance of key issues which act as barriers for women in business are also emphasised, such as the prevalence of saturated markets and access to finance. GL has trained GBV survivors on life and entrepreneurship skills in 100 councils in ten countries to date and aims to link them to local economic development opportunities during the last phase of the current process in 2015 through a process of arranging meetings with potential sources of support in each council. Such partnerships will form the backbone and be key to the backstopping of and business development support of those business ideas which have demonstrated sustainability.

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Table 3.1: The programme outline

Pre training Outcomes “I” stories and Gender Empowerment Index (GEI) surveys are carried out with survivors of GBV before the training starts.

These combined instruments provide a baseline on which to measure change over time. Both are repeated.

The GEI measures attitudes towards gender relations before.

Phase one training (Five days) Personal development action plans are completed during this training. A five day course comprises life skills training and an introduction to entrepreneurship and introduces women to computer training. At the end women complete two exercises in developing a business idea. These worked on through the period of the programme.

Goals are set to increase self-confidence and awareness and short term goals

Women develop insights and skills for personal and enterprise agency

Phase two training (Five days) A further five day course, provides more in depth training on business management skills such as financial planning, stock management and record keeping. The women continue to work on their business plans over the course of the training

Applied knowledge is learnt to start and/or run a business

Business ideas are further developed

Phase three (2.5 days)

Introduces: Further review of business planning and

recommendations for mentorship Networking opportunities to identify potential

support and opportunities for the women who have completed Phase two.

Identifying potential sources of funding in country

Business plans are assessed for maturity and plans laid to enhance sustainability Groundwork laid for networking, identifying business opportunities and possible sources of funding

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is repeated with “I” stories and GEI surveys to measure change

Changes in personal and economic progress is measured

Table 3.1 outlines the entrepreneurship training programme from phase one to phase three. After completing Phase One and Two the participants have a chance to decide what their entrepreneurship goals are based on what they have learnt. This may include: Start a business – this may not be the choice for all the women Business Acceleration: Grow an existing business through mentorship

Business Evolve: Stay at a micro level to create until they feel more confident. Continue to support as a group.

Social entrepreneurship: Pursue sustainable projects that will benefit the community such a recycling cooperative. This will have access to mentorship and provide an opportunity for cooperative projects such as recycling.

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Links to support and opportunities The programme focuses on a combination of:

Life skills training including confidence building; writing; public speaking and decision making and understanding gender as a social construct.

Business skills development such as IT; marketing, market research, record keeping, financial management, developing of business plans, applying for tenders and accessing finance.

Networking has been introduced as a means of identifying potential support arrangements such as mentorship, for sourcing business opportunities, developing relationships with other businesses in their areas or working in collective to access tenders from local government with local partners.

The importance of key issues which act as barriers for women in business are also emphasised, such as the prevalence of saturated markets and access to finance. This GL project provides a framework for the development of potentially sustainable entrepreneurship opportunities for survivors of GBV through linking them to local economic opportunities through relationship building with local governments and agencies, the private sector, other NGOs, financial services and enterprise support opportunities. Monitoring and evaluation GL is a learning organisation strongly committed to measuring the impact of the programmes implemented. This includes both qualitative and quantitative research carried out as both baseline and follow up investigations of change. GL employs a set of monitoring and evaluation processes for all its programmes including the COEs. The instruments used are primarily developed in house and freely available on our website. The investigations include the collection of personal accounts of GBV; I Stories and the Gender Empowerment Index (GEI) which asks a range of questions on gender, relationships, attitudes, agency, and income and entrepreneurship flair. Key to the understanding of the efficacy of the programme is the need for beneficiary analysis. The qualitative and quantitative tools applied by GL are described in Table 3.2.

GBV survivors

Life skills

Enterprise training

Mentorship

Access to

finance

http://www.genderlinks.org.za/article/gender-links-surveys-and-results-2013-11-29

21

Table 3.2 Qualitative and quantitative tools

INDICATOR QUANTITATIVE QUALITATIVE WHEN ADMINISTERED

IMPACT

Levels of

women‟s

lifetime and

past year

experience of

GBV

GBV indicators

research

“I” Stories or first -hand accounts.

These are documented personal

accounts of GBV. These also form

the qualitative analysis of change

in the entrepreneurship

programme.

For the entrepreneurship

programme these were

collected before and

after the project to

measure change.

OUTCOME

Gender

responsiveness

of councils

COE verification –

Gender Score Card

(GSC)- Councils

score themselves

against 25

institutional gender

indicators and use

these to

benchmark

progress

Drivers of change profiles are

undertaken in the form of

interviews with key partners that

are making a difference. Changing

Lives Analysis are interviews with

programme beneficiaries to

determine impact.

Council case studies.

Focus groups.

Annually in March as a

general principle but in

the entrepreneurship

programme this has

formed part of the follow

up process to understand

change.

Enhanced

agency and

income

Gender

Empowerment

Index (GEI)

“I” Stories or first- hand accounts;

Drivers of Change profiles

Conducted before and

after the programme

participants to measure

changes in their

circumstances.

OUTPUT

No of GBV

survivors

trained

Epi –info No of “I” stories at the beginning

and end.

Ongoing

Participation

194 188

150

214 195 184 183 181 175

156

119

153 158 143

163

116

172

134

166

131 153

192

136 133

90

140

105

154

109

150 130 128

220

0

50

100

150

200

250

Figure 3.1 Participation in workshops regional.

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

22

Figure 3.1 shows participation in the three workshops in each of the countries. Overall, an average of 194 women participated in phase one (compared to the target of 150); 153 in phase two and 136 in the final phase three: a 70% retention rate.

Figure 3.2 demonstrates discrepancies in attendance and participation and can be related to a number of factors such as dropout rates in some councils which occur with women finding jobs, partner interference in the participation and communication by councils to the women who had participated. Some women have indicated that family responsibilities also played a role. The number of attendees has also been affected by council gender representative‟s commitment to getting the women to workshops. In Kadoma, the support from Mattie Dhliwayo the gender focal person is high. She helped to identify and motivate women from abusive and poor backgrounds who have embraced the training and made great strides. Businesses they have started range from having flea market stalls, buying and selling clothes, as well as fruit and vegetable vending. Manyame, a rural council in Mashonaland East has had consistent attendance. This can be evidenced by the positive evaluation of the programme by the women. Despite support from Constance Chinyemba, the gender focal person in Goromonzi, (a semi-rural council not far from Harare), participation tapered off drastically from phase one to three. Some of the women had relocated to other areas for personal reasons resulting in the drop in turn out.

18

20

25

22 21

17 17 17 16 16

15 15 15

18

21

19 20

17 17

15 16

12

14 15

14 16

18 18 16 16 16

12

15

11 13

15

0

5

10

15

20

25

Figure 3.2 Participation in council training: Zimbabwe and region

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

Gender Focal Persons being trained by GL in Zimbabwe. Photo: Loverage Nhamoyebonde http://gemcommunity.genderlinks.org.za/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=53982

23

Age and educational levels of the participants The selection criteria set a limit of 18 years and over for participation. This did not impact on the upper limit of age for women eligible to attend. It is acknowledged that in micro enterprise a number of business practices may not be followed due to a lack of experience or knowledge. The never- too- late to learn principle applies in this case. Very few of the women knew anything about how to mark up and price a product, keep records or manage their cash flow. In follow up I stories women referred to pricing their goods or services and their ability to save as a result.

Figure 3.3 shows the age distribution of the participants in Zimbabwe. 70% were over 41, slightly lower than the regional average of 80%. Ten percent of participants in Zimbabwe were over 60 years compared with 16% regionally. These numbers show that there is a need to review the selection process to ensure that younger women participate.

Figure 3.4 depicts the educational levels in Zimbabwe. Primary educational levels tended to be lower (25%) than the regional average (39%). However, a significant proportion; 64% of the women in Zimbabwe had secondary education (compared to 53% in the region) and 6% have tertiary education) compared to 4% regionally). Adult literacy exposure is very low (1%) a critical concern given that for many of the women, levels of literacy and numeracy were impediments to their participation, particularly in rural areas. He project targeted

20%

33%

28%

16%

27%

36%

24%

10%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

31-40 41-50 51-60 60+

Figure 3.3 Age: region, Zimbabwe

Regional Zimbabwe

2%

39%

53%

3% 4% 1%

25%

64%

3% 6%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Adult Literacy Primary School Secondary School Vocational Tertiary

Figure 3.4 Education levels: region, Zimbabwe

Regional Zimbabwe

24

survivors of GBV, 18 years or older from resource poor communities where social services were their only option for GBV interventions.

25

4. CHANGE AT AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL - FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS ACUMEN

At an individual level the qualitative and quantitative research involved baseline and follow up “I” stories or first- hand accounts, and administration of the Gender Empowerment Index (GEI). These tools measure attitudes and experiences of GBV, personal agency and provide insight into the income experiences of the survivors, both as financial dependents and income earners, before and after the programme. This section of the report focuses on the changes that women experienced with regard to their financial and business acumen.

Figure 4.1 shows that 98% of Zimbabwean participants completed a business plan, compared to the regional average of 91%. 96% followed through on the plan, compared with the regional average of 79%. Five councils scored 100% for business plan completion and follow up. The higher-than-regional-average completion and follow up rate, implies that the programme has achieved more than half of the women taking the business planning process seriously.

Figure 4.2 reflects the reasons women cited for not following the business plan. The main reason cited was that they had found something better (100%). Use of IT Most of the women, who had never used a computer before, highlighted this as a key area of

empowerment.

91% 98% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

94% 100% 100%

92% 94% 79%

96% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

94% 93% 93% 92% 88%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Figure 4.1 Percentage wommen who completed then followed a business plan: region, Zimbabwe and councils

Completed Plan Followed Plan

100%

Figure 4.2 Reasons for not following the plan

Found something else better

26

Figure 4.3 shows that 98% of women in Zimbabwe had cell phones; nine percentage points higher than the regional average of 89%.

Figure 4.4 shows that 87% of the women use SMS for business communication in Zimbabwe (compared to 70% in the region), followed by the use of cell phones for conducting banking and money transfers (72%) compared to 40% in the region. Communication via WhatsApp rose from 28% to 67%. Fewer women (28%) use the internet to search for information 28% compared to 23% in the region. There is clearly much opportunity for further development of cell phone usage.

89%

98% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 93%

89%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Figure 4.3 Percentage women owning cell phone: regional, Zimbabwe, and councils

70%

40%

28% 23%

87%

72% 67%

28%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Marketing/communicatingvia SMS

Banking and moneytransfers

Marketing/communicatingvia WhatsApp

Internet searches e.g.google

Figure 4.4 What business related activities are done by cell phone: region, Zimbabwe

Regional Zimbabwe

27

Figure 4.5 shows that there are significant changes in the use of technology in the target group. 76% of the Zimbabwean participants use a computer after the project compared to 14% before. 76% used email (compared to 8% at the start); 53% surf the Internet (compared to 7% at the start); 20% have a Facebook account up from 15% at the start. 18% have a twitter account (compared to 3% at the start) and 12% have a website or space on a website (compared to 1% at the start). Entrepreneurial flair Part of the GEI survey focussed on the women‟s perceptions of their entrepreneurial flair. These ranged from outlook, for example, “I have a desire to succeed in whatever I do, if at first I do not succeed I am prepared to try again” to more technical questions such “I can forecast my income and expenditure.”

Figure 4.6 shows that Zimbabwe had an average of 86% for entrepreneurial flair, higher than the regional average of 83%. This remained unchanged at the end of the project

78 81

90 87 85

72

87 81

78 78

89

74

83 86

92 91 87 86 85 85 85 84 84 81

-5

5

15

25

35

45

55

65

75

85

95

Figure 4.6 GEI Entrepreneurial flair: region, Zimbabwe, council

Baseline Progress

14% 8% 7%

15%

3% 1%

76% 76%

53%

20% 18% 12%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Use a computer Have an E Mailaddress

Surf the Interneteg for google

Have a Facebookaccount

Have a Twitteraccount

Have a website orspace on a

website

Figure 4.5 Use of IT before and after project: Zimbabwe

Before After

28

(compared to the four percentage point increase at regional level). Two councils witnessed a decrease in scores, the most significant being a 5% drop for Manyame to 84% from 89%. The decrease may be a result of having a better understanding of some of the terms and questions asked after completing the training. On the other hand participants in Kadoma increased their score to 86%, up from 72%. This is notable because they did come off the lowest baseline score. Summits affirm good practise During the third workshop phase of the programme, facilitators rated business plans for presentation at national and regional SADC gender summits. The businesses are categorised as start-ups or existing businesses and are judged accordingly. Two candidates are selected from each council out of the 10 councils (5 start-up councils and 5 with existing business plans) to present their business ideas at the national summit. The overall winners out of the two categories proceed to the regional Summits. This motivates participants; extends IT skills to include PowerPoint as an additional skill; enhances confidence through public speaking and recognition of efforts and ideas. In 2015 two inspired emerging entrepreneurs received awards at the SADC Protocol@Work summit in Zimbabwe. Here are two examples:

“We have worked closely with the council because the programme opened proper channels for us. We are now able to consult the council as far as its services are concerned and benefit accordingly.” Nobuhle* Bulawayo City Council runs a sewing business.12

“I gained self-confidence after I was given an opportunity to participate at the entrepreneurship workshops. Being a participant of the programme was a great opportunity because I gained courage after interacting with different people who attended the workshops. I am now able to take care of myself and the children,” Chipo* - Kadoma City Council runs a cleaning and laundry business.13

In addition this inspiring business was presented: “I started the business in April 2014. I am in the chicken rearing business and produce 500 broilers using an eight week cycle. I supply to local butcheries, a boarding school, hospitals, take-away businesses, nursery schools, supermarkets and individuals. I have made known my routine of an eight week cycle to my customers for the past year. This has helped my good reputation and customer retention.” Dalia Musasiwa presented her business at the National summit.

12 Not her real name 13 Not her real name

29

Business activity before and after the programme

Figure 4.7 shows that almost all (99%) of the women in Zimbabwe had a business before and after the project. All councils recorded a constant activity in business except for Chitungwiza which had increased to 100% from 94%. In Manyame the figure dropped from 100% to 92%. However at 99% Zimbabwe is 12 percentage points higher than the regional average of 87%. A key factor in enterprise development has been the paucity of access to finance opportunities in councils. Zimbabwe does not have a strong entrepreneurship development framework to support women; especially women in poorer communities and rural areas. Micro enterprise finance is scarce compared to many other African countries and there tends to not be a segregation of business development support for different levels and types of businesses. Resource poor communities are largely excluded from credit granting facilities in banks. Some of the COEs did not have the infrastructure or market potential for women to set up sustainable businesses. Table 4.1: Challenges encountered in Zimbabwe

Area Assessed Not Challenging Challenging Very challenging

Keep records of your income and expenditure 55% 25% 20%

Apply the information you learned 62% 25% 13%

Find markets 49% 30% 21%

Access infrastructure like buildings 32% 30% 38%

Access finance 12% 45% 42%

Table 4.1 shows some of the challenges women encountered. Access to finance and access to infrastructure ranked highest. What is interesting is that 62% of the women did not find it difficult to apply the knowledge they learnt. Many of the women showed their application of the skills and knowledge acquired in their „I‟ stories.

87%

99% 100% 100% 100% 94%

100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 89%

99% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 92%

100% 100%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Figure 4.7 Percentage of women with a business before and after: region, Zimbabwe and councils.

Before After

30

In the focus group discussion held in Chitungwiza participants revealed that the entire

group is in need of financial assistance to boost their businesses. They have rotating credit

schemes which are a consented effort towards sustaining their small businesses. Peer

learning is witnessed amongst the group as participants used the summit as a platform to

share new ideas with other participants. If no further support is forthcoming from GL, the

group felt that life will be very difficult for them but they vowed to continue using the skills

they acquired Interviewed and recorded by Loverage Nhamoyebonde.

In Victoria Falls a town which is on the border with Zambia the participants are facing stiff competition with Zambian entrepreneurs who are flooding the market with cheap products. They said they need assistance so that they will invest in their businesses and thrive for competitiveness. Meanwhile, Victoria Falls Municipality stood out from other local authorities by assigning a council employee who is in constant touch with the emerging entrepreneurs to ensure that the business activities of the participants are licensed. The women however feel that the municipality should make an effort to allocate them residential stands so that they will have houses registered in their names. Interviewed and recorded by Loverage Nhamoyebonde.

Figure 4.8 shows that despite these challenges, there are encouraging results of how women have enhanced their business; 65% started a business, 86% diversified their product base, and 79% were able to find new markets. Interestingly 67% opened a bank account to save and control their money. These are noteworthy changes in the lives of resource poor women. Many of these improvements reflect how learning from the training has been applied, as reflected in excerpts from the “I” Stories:

“Before I was trained I lacked financial discipline. I now know how to manage and keep records of my finances,” Msanda Ncube from the Victoria Falls Municipality.

"GL taught me how to manage my business and to open a business account to save money. I did everything that we were taught and I am proud to tell you that l opened a bank account and I am saving my profits for future use in my business. I am really enjoying the benefits of the business skills I acquired during the training. Before I opened the bank

45%

52%

53%

65%

67%

69%

79%

84%

86%

92%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Bought big items

Increased the size of the space they work from

Hired more staff

Started the business

Opened a bank account

Went into a new area of business

Found new markets

Bought small tools

Added new products

Grew their business

Figure 4.8 How women have enhanced their business because of the project in Zimbabwe

31

account I used to misuse business funds and that was the major issue that prevented me from doing anything meaningful in life. With the help and knowledge l got from the training I managed to develop good relations with my customers. I applied the marketing strategies I was taught to my business and this increased my sales. I am now a proud mother who can take care of her family and provide for their needs." Edwina Kapfudza from Goromonzi RDC. Changes in income

Figure 4.9 shows the average income for Zimbabwean participants in the programme rose significantly from an average of USD51 to USD144 per month more than the regional average at USD66 per month. Some of the councils also recorded significant gains. The average monthly income of participants in Manyame rose from USD71 to USD278 per month and Gweru from USD42 to USD272. Whilst Chegutu only shows an average monthly income of USD34 this is from a negative baseline of –USD40.

Figure 4.10 shows average increases in assets defined as small items such as pots and pans to larger items such as fridges for businesses. The average assets value rose from USD286 to USD545 slightly lower than the comparative regional figures of USD211 to USD677. The reasons for a decline in Goromonzi‟s assets value after the project are not clear.

23 47

71 42

86

25

161

2 16 50 55

-40

66

150

278 272

202 158 142 141 131

107

35 34

-100

-50

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Figure 4.9 Average monthly income before and after the project: region, Zimbabwe and councils

Before After

211 286

60

480

1766

9 75 61 214 143

34 14

677 545

1574

1212

770

545 514 370

239 119 98

9 0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

Figure 4.10 Average assets value before and after the project: region, Zimbabwe and councils

Before After

32

Figure 4.11 shows that overall 90% of the participants in Zimbabwe felt that they are “better or much better” off financially, compared to 78% in the region. However Zimbabwe reflects 5% as “worse or much worse” slightly higher than the region by 1 percentage point. In all of the councils women reflected a positive perception of financial status since starting the project. This ranges from 100% as reflected in Gweru, Manyame and Victoria Falls to 75% in Chegutu. The two examples that follow reflect the positive changes in women‟s lives.

Women were able to apply their knowledge to improve their businesses and therefore their income: “I had a small fruit and vegetable business I used to run. The business was operating at a loss due to mixing business and personal life. I want to thank GL for the knowledge I acquired for I am now running a profitable fruit and vegetable business. My greatest worry was I did not have a place to sell my products. At this stage the council helped me with a place from which to operate from. This also increased my sales because my customers now know where to get all their fresh vegetables at one place. The programme came as a miracle in my life and opened up more opportunities for me. Through this programme I was linked to ZB bank where I now have a bank account.” Fungai Magodi from Gweru.

Women joined forces to save together to provide funding for business activities: “We formed a money saving scheme where every member pays US $ 2 per

week. We also lend the money to other people who will return it within a stipulated time frame with an interest. The club is providing us with the capital that is sustaining our projects,” Msanda Ncube from Victoria Falls.

78% 90%

100% 100% 100% 94% 94% 92% 87% 80% 79% 75%

14% 5%

0% 0% 0% 6% 6% 0% 7%

5% 7% 17%

8% 5% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 8% 7%

15% 14% 8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Figure 4.11 Perceptions of change in financial status: region, Zimbabwe and councils

Better or much better Same Worse or much worse

33

5. CHANGES AT AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL – PERSONAL AGENCY The programme aimed to increase the financial and business opportunities for women who have experienced GBV as well as increase their ability to be self-reliant and therefore better able to support themselves or negotiate positive relationships. Each women completed a personal development plan in Phase one and again after completing the training.

Figure 5.1 shows that 95% of women in Zimbabwe (compared to 87% regionally) completed a personal development plan and 93% (compared to 82% in the region) followed the plan. Five councils showed the highest (100%) follow up score. Zvimba (81%) showed a slightly lower adherence to a personal plan.

87% 95%

100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 95% 94% 92%

83% 81%

82%

93% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

95% 89%

83% 83% 81%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Figure 5.1 Percentage of women who completed then followed a personal plan: region, Zimbabwe and councils

Completed Plan Followed Plan

50% 50%

Figure 5.2 Reasons for not following a personal plan in Zimbabwe

No support from those close to me Abuse continued to hinder me

34

Figure 5.2 shows that, the predominant reasons for not following through are related to a lack of support or continuing abuse in achieving the goals set. In Zimbabwe both lack of support and continued abuse ranked at 50%. Personal Agency

Baseline Progress Variance

Regional 76 78 +2

Zimbabwe 77 80 +3

Kadoma 70 80 +10

Victoria Falls 72 80 +8

Zvimba 74 81 +7

Bulawayo 77 82 +5

Gweru 79 83 +4

Goromonzi 74 75 +1

Chiredzi 83 83 0

Chegutu 82 78 -4

Chitungwiza 82 78 -4

Manyame RDC 81 76 -5

Figure 5.3 illustrates Zimbabwe‟s agency progress scores compared to the baseline scores. Zimbabwe‟s baseline stood at 77% (compared to 76% in the region), rising to 80% (compared to 78% in the region). These results show significant rises in agency in some of the councils. Kadoma rose significantly from 70% to 80% (an increase of 10 percentage points). Three councils, Chegutu, Chitungwiza, and Manyame Rural District Council (RDC), had small decreases in agency. Overall the scores and the personal testimonies reflect a positive trend towards greater personal agency, as reflected in the examples below:

“I used to be a shy person but the programme gave me the zeal and courage to be independent. I now have confidence in myself and I am able to work with my own hands. The interaction and networking skills I acquired during the training empowered me and the community now views me differently.” - Tropia Dlamini, Bulawayo.

76 77 79 83 77 74 70 72

82 82 81 74 78 80 83 83 82 81 80 80 78 78 76 75

-15

5

25

45

65

85

Figure 5.3 Agency score progress versus baseline: region, country, council

Baseline Progress

35

“I was surviving on handouts but the programme empowered me financially and I am now able to take care of myself. Begging for food from relatives and friends is now a thing of the past. I am now a business woman who can earn around USD500 per month,” Hilda Mudzonga, Chitungwiza.

“I started the business without a single cent. I talked to people who gave me orders for clothes and they paid deposits. I supplied the goods and the customers met their outstanding arrears. Since that day money started flowing and I opened a hardware shop. Since I was now having a bigger business my financial status changed and I am now occupying the upper class in my community. I always have disposable income. This great achievement was made possible by the entrepreneurship programme,” – Chipo Mudanda* from Manyame.

Attitudes toward gender issues The Gender Progress Score (GPS), based largely on a standard WHO questionnaire, comprises 25 questions that are used to measure gender attitudes, with a score of 100% denoting highly progressive attitudes. The follow up study assessed if there had been a change in the GPS of the participants.

Figure 5.4 shows that overall in the region, participants had a GPS of 70% and this remained constant. In Zimbabwe the figure increased by one percentage point from 69% to


Regional 70 70 0

Zimbabwe 69 70 +1


Chiredzi 72 74 +2

Kadoma 67 69 +2

Manyame RDC 67 69 +2

Goromonzi 72 73 +1

Gweru 74 74 0

Zvimba 69 69 0

Chitungwiza 68 68 0

Bulawayo 68 67 -1

Chegutu 70 68 -2

70 69 74 72 72

64 69 67 67 70 68 68 70 70 74 74 73 70 69 69 69 68 68 67

01020304050607080

Figure 5.4 Gender Progress Score of entrepreneurs progress versus baseline: region, Zimbabwe and councils

Baseline Progress

36

70%. However, councils showed a considerable variation, ranging from a positive increase of six percentage points in Victoria Falls, to a drop of two percentage points in Chegutu Municipality. Other councils‟ GPS scores remained constant as in the case of Chitungwiza Municipality, Gweru City Council, and Zvimba Rural District Council.

Figure 5.5 compares the GPS of the entrepreneurs with that of their community. It shows that overall in the region the GPS of the women is seven percentage points higher than that of the councils, In Zimbabwe the score increased from 62% to 70% (eight percent points) In all of the Zimbabwe councils, the GPS of the participants is higher than that of the councils. The margins range from of 6% in Bulawayo and Chitungwiza to the highest score of 13% in Gweru.

Community Entrepreneurs Variance

Regional 63 70 +7

Zimbabwe 62 70 +8

Gweru 61 74 +13

Chiredzi 62 74 +12

Goromonzi 61 73 +12


Zvimba 60 69 +9

Kadoma 60 69 +9


Chegutu 60 68 +8

Chitungwiza 62 68 +6

Bulawayo 61 67 +6

63 62 61 62 61 63 60 60 61 60 62 61 70 70

74 74 73 70 69 69 69 68 68 67

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Figure 5.5 Gender Progress Score of entrepreneurs versus community at progress in Zimbabwe

Community Entrepreneurs

37


Regional 66 67 +1

Zimbabwe 68 71 3

Kadoma 65 74 9

Victoria Falls 66 72 6

Zvimba 66 71 5

Goromonzi 71 75 4

Gweru 73 76 3

Bulawayo 67 69 2

Chiredzi 71 71 0

Manyame RDC 67 67 0

Chegutu 70 69 -1

Chitungwiza 70 69 -1 The Gender Empower Index (GEI) is a composite index bringing together relationship control; experience of gender based violence (GBV) in a life time; attitudes; agency and entrepreneurial flair. Figure 5.6 shows that overall, the GEI rose from 66% to 67% in the region, and from 68% to 71% in Zimbabwe. The positive trend shows that the programme is on the right course, but that these changes are not likely to be an overnight miracle. All but four councils registered a gain, with Kadoma City Council, Victoria Falls Municipality and Zvimba RDC showing significant increases. Chiredzi Town Council and Manyame RDC remained constant, while Chegutu Municipality and Chitungwiza Municipality dropped by one percentage point each.

66 68 73 71

65 66 71

66 70 67 70 67 67

71 76 75 74 72 71 71 69 69 69 67

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Figure 5.6 GEI Overall score progress versus baseline: region, Zimbabwe and councils

Baseline Progress

38

One of the most outstanding Changing lives stories comes from Bulawayo City Council: "I used to stay indoors feeling that I am an unworthy person. Gender Links transformed my life and I am now a proud owner of a viable business." Sithokozile Moyo. Moyo suffered abuse that negatively affected her life. Her life was at a stand-still as she was always indoors eating her heart out over the bad things that took place in her life. The situation reduced her to a pauper as she was not being productive and fate was set to continue reigning in her life. As she was suffering in silence, her situation captured the attention of Bulawayo City Council and she was enrolled in the Gender Links (GL) entrepreneurship programme. When she attended the "I" story workshop she managed to open up for the first time by writing her own story. "My first encounter with GL was in 2014 through Bulawayo City Council. I was a very shy person and I was not able to interact with other people because of the abuse I suffered. My past experiences made me feel worthless and all hope was lost. My first day with GL changed my perception and I realized how much I was missing in life by keeping on holding to the past. I managed to open up through writing my own story and I felt a heavy load coming off my chest." Moyo later attended the first phase of the entrepreneurship programme where she learnt important business management skills. She was taught how to come up with a business plan and to effectively implement it on the ground. "I took the lessons I was receiving seriously, in particular the one on customer care. I was also very happy as I was taught the importance of having a bank account and was made to get one," Immediately after the training, Moyo started a small business baking cookies in her house and selling them on the streets. The demand for her product grew and she was no longer able to supply the required quantities because the production was taking place in her kitchen using a two plate stove. She later realized that the way she was operating would not sustain her business because customers were starting to question where and how the cookies were being manufactured. She approached a local bakery and entered into a partnership agreement. "The lady improved the quality of my business. I met her when she was selling bakery products on the streets. I discovered that she makes biscuits much better than me. I was doing biscuits before but they were of poor quality. When we discussed further, that is when she started producing for me. We were struggling to produce biscuits and we took advantage of her to produce good quality biscuits. We are now confident of the quality." Remegious Nkomazana director and owner of Bernard Bakery. Moyo feels indebted to GL for equipping her with skills that enabled her to create links with prominent business people. She feels that if it was not for the entrepreneurship programme she would have remained a prisoner of her past life. "I really thank Gender Links for giving me confidence and restoring my self-esteem. I am now able to take care of myself and I am now always outdoors doing productive work." Apart from the bakery business, Moyo also has a sewing business. She designs sun hats and supplies them to the local schools and

Some of the biscuits being manufactured by Sithokozile Moyo Photo: Loverage Nhamoyebonde

http://gemcommunity.genderlinks.org.za/galle

ry/main.php?g2_itemId=56471

39

other organizations. She started the sewing business so as to close risk gaps and remain in business when another arm of her business crumbled. The transformation that took place in Moyo's life changed the way she interacts with other people in her community. After seeing her business transition from selling under a tree to operating a well-established business entity, many people started frequenting her house seeking for advice. She is now able to interact with people from diverse backgrounds. Currently, Moyo is working very hard to acquire her own commercial stand so that she can operate as a sole proprietor under her own name. She mentioned that the challenges she faced as an emerging entrepreneur were numerous, ranging from an unfavorable business environment to a lack of finance and the situation pushed her into a partnership with an already established business. She is of the view that in as much as GL's work is commendable, there is also need to assist women with capital because some of them are failing to apply the skills they learnt due to financial constraints. Sithokozile Moyo interviewed by Loverage Nhamoyebonde

One of the unintended but positive consequences of the

training is that it led to several different forms of

empowerment; not all related to business, as illustrated in the

following example:

"My situation has taught me to hate societal values that degrade

females and those people who preserve such values. I engaged the

village head to facilitate the recovery of my father's estate and he

promised to help me. If it was not for GL I would not have been able

to approach community leaders since I was not aware of my rights as

a woman," Verina Muchegu from the Chitungwiza Municipality.

The training also helped the women to let go of the past. In addition it has shown

that there is power in writing as it often starts the healing process.

“The training could not have come at a better time than this, my outlook on life changed

and it was exciting to interact with other women who faced similar problems. I now possess

a sense of belonging and I was healed through writing my story. For the first time I felt I

could let go of the past and open a new chapter in my life. From that time onwards, I

became a changed person. I said goodbye to sorrow and pain.” Gweru City Council

entrepreneur Fungai Magodi.

Participants learned to dream big and vision a new future. Ellen Patana from

Chegutu Municipality formed a community based organisation which is aimed at fighting

GBV in her community. Ellen stated that "The idea of registering a community based

organisation occurred to me after GL pointed me in the right direction. I tried to register the

organisation as a trust but the social welfare department advised me to register it as a non-

profit making organisation owned and controlled by a board of trustees. I got inspiration

from the English idiom which says, „experience is the best teacher' and I saw fit to educate

other people on gender based violence through my organisation. This was after I realised

that it was very important to impart the knowledge I gained from GL to other women."

Verina Muchegu. Photo: Loverage Nhamoyebonde http://gemcommunity.genderlinks.org.za/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=54898

40

6. CHANGES AT A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP HOUSEHOLD LEVEL Enhancing power within relationships is a key indicator of success in a project that aims to empower women who have experienced GBV. The GEI included a relationship control index in which a higher score means that the survivor has more relationship control, as well as a measure of experience of violence derived from GL‟s VAW baseline study tool. Relationship control


Regional 62 66 +4

Zimbabwe 52 54 +2

Goromonzi 42 61 +19

Gweru 45 60 +15

Chegutu 52 65 +12


Zvimba 48 49 +1

Manyame RDC 55 55 0

Chitungwiza 54 53 -1

Chiredzi 56 53 -3

Bulawayo 61 54 -7

Kadoma 53 46 -7 Figure 6.1 shows that while the relationship control score increased from 62% to 66% in the region, in Zimbabwe the score increased from 52% to 54%. Four of the councils reflect a decrease in relationship control, with Chiredzi and Chitungwiza the lowest, dropping to 53% from 54% and 56% respectively. Five councils showed positive gains, with Goromonzi, Gweru and Chegutu showing the strongest gains. Only Manyame had no change in relationship control at 55% Overall council scores also mask important progress at individual level, as illustrated in the examples below:

62

52 52

42 45

55 61

54 56

48 47 53

66

54

65 61 60

55 54 53 53 49 49

46

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Figure 6.1 GEI Relationship Control, progress versus baseline: regional, Zimbabwe and councils

Baseline Progress

41

"After I got my passport, my husband refused to give me the start-up capital I needed for my business. He said that I wanted to do cross border trading in order to engage in extra marital affairs and infect him with incurable diseases. I was stressed and regretted ever getting married to my husband instead of finishing my education because there was nothing to admire in my marriage. Today, this is a totally different story. It is a story of a successful woman who was once a victim.” Loveness Gandawa from the Manyame RDC "My mom is now an independent, successful business woman. I recalled how she managed to leave behind her past life which was marred by gender based violence (GBV) and start a new life. It has always been her dream to have a candle making business and through the skills she attained from GL she managed to have one. She also has plans to resume her now defunct poultry production business which collapsed after she failed to manage it properly as a result of inadequate business knowledge coupled with domestic problems."- Angeline Sirani, daughter to Chipo Makon from Chitungwiza Municipality "The training boosted my confidence and self-esteem. I have learnt not to keep challenges to myself but to open up and look for solutions. The skills I attained were noticed by the community and they placed me in a very influential position. I am now the local ward spokesperson, a post that I would never have occupied without GL," Jenny Chapukira from the Kadoma City Council.

"I learnt that to remain in business one has to maintain a capital reserve and this should never be used no matter how difficult the circumstances may become. Selling the right product at the right place and time is also another concept I took seriously and applied it in my business. This made a lot of sense to my situation and I also appreciated the importance of record keeping when in business. Everything I had done wrong in the past was corrected," Lucia Zulu from the Chegutu Municipality

"My husband's relatives used to make my life difficult. They did not express any loving feelings towards me because they viewed me as a backward and uneducated housewife. To my surprise their attitude has changed. They now look at me with respect because I am now making money. They used to ill-treat me because I was broke and I had nothing tangible to offer them. They also had the wrong perception about my relationship with Gender Links. They believed that I was being taught to undermine my husband. Unfortunately, when some people get to hear that women are being taught to empower themselves they think that they are being taught how to destroy their homes. With time, my relatives have become more accommodating, especially after they saw how much I was contributing to the family. To be honest, I am past the stage of being bothered with people who do not see me in a positive light, especially when I am working to improve myself.", Itai Makara from the Chiredzi Town Council.

Chipo Makoni explaining her candle making business Photo: Loverage Nhamoyebonde

http://gemcommunity.genderlinks.org.za

/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=56474

42

Changes in GBV experience


Regional 43 39 -4

Zimbabwe 56 59 +3

Kadoma 56 72 +16



Goromonzi 68 72 +4

Zvimba 55 59 +4

Chiredzi 46 48 +2

Chitungwiza 53 55 +2

Bulawayo 55 56 +1

Gweru 69 65 -4

Chegutu 59 51 -8 Figure 6.2 shows that overall in the region experience of violence in the lives of women decreased by four percentage points, from 43% to 39%. However, in Zimbabwe the experience of violence using this prevalence indicator increased by three percentage points, from 56% to 59%. In eight out of the 10 councils the experience of violence increased despite the women expressing increasing levels of empowerment in their „I‟ stories. Only Chegutu (8 percentage points) and Gweru (4 percentage points) achieved an improvement; with fewer women reporing experiencing GBV after the project.

43

56 56

68 69

59 55 55 53 59

46 40 39

59

72 72 65 65

59 56 55 51 48 46

-5

5

15

25

35

45

55

65

75

Figure 6.2 Gender Empowerment Index GBV experiences: regional, Zimbabwe and councils

Baseline Progress

43

The supplementary GEI administered after the project asked participants how they perceived the experience of GBV in their lives. Figure 6.3 shows that across the region, there is 85% indication of less or much less experiences of GBV. In Zimbabwe 91% of the project beneficiaries indicated that they were now experiencing less or much less GBV. 3% of the participants stated that the levels of violence they experienced prior to the project had remained the same. 6% said violence is now higher or much higher. Comparatively in the councils 100% of participants in Gweru, Kadoma and Manyame reported that levels of violence in their lives were now less or much less. What these figures illustrate is that social change, at any level, is barely ever linear, dramatic or overnight. It will take time for some of these changes to be manifested in the individuals, their families as well as their communities. Though this may be the case some changes are already manifesting in the entrepreneurs, as reflected in the examples below; In Chiredzi Patricia Zunga is taking advantage of the outreach programmes being conducted by Msasa Project to encourage GBV survivors who are suffering in silence to speak out. She uses this opportunity to tell her own story and change the lives of many other women. Bringing income into the home can reduce GBV: “Prior to the entrepreneurial training I was a full time housewife who was experiencing gender based violence (GBV). I could not think about any kind of business because of the stress I suffered. I was privileged to learn new ideas and to be able to work hard in order to earn a better living. I experienced GBV before my encounter with GL. My husband was very abusive both physically and emotionally. I would get beaten every time l asked for money for the upkeep of the family. The GBV in my

85% 91% 100% 100% 100% 94% 94% 93%

86% 83% 83% 75%

6% 3%

0% 0% 0%

0%

0% 0% 7%

0%

17%

6%

7% 6% 0% 0% 0% 6% 6% 7% 7% 17%

0%

19%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Figure 6.3 Change in reported Experiences of GBV: regional, Zimbabwe and councils

Less or much less Same More or much more

Patricia Zunga explains the transformation in her life Photo: Loverage Nhamoyebonde

http://gemcommunity.genderlinks.org.za

/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=56477

44

marriage decreased from the time l stopped depending on my husband. I strongly believe that the training l got from GL has changed my husband and empowered me. In my community no one wanted to be associated with me because I was destitute. I was the laughing stock in the community and the situation led people to lose respect for me. GL brought light into my life and l managed to assist other people in my community with advice on how to solve marital problems amicably" Rosemary Muza from Zvimba RDC

45

7. CHANGES AT A COMMUNITY LEVEL The perceptions of council support are gained through the inputs of facilitators, participants, focus groups and council‟s case studies. This is a significant account of the levels of support perceived to be available to the women on the programme. The significance lies in the aim of the project to engage the COE councils to take over responsibility for supporting the women to get further access to support and opportunities at a local level once GL had completed the project.

Figure 7.1 shows that at 54% the regional average for council support is lower than the

Zimbabwe average of 76%. Likewise the councils from Zimbabwe had scores above the

regional average; with Kadoma registering the highest levels of support at 90%.

This is followed by Chiredzi with 84%. Kadoma City Council has a very vibrant health

department led by the Director of Health and a Gender Focal Person who have a passion for

women‟s rights; evidenced in the support they gave to the beneficiaries. Interview with

Kadoma City Council by Mattie Dhliwayo (GFP) by Loverage Nhamoyebonde.

The Chiredzi council has gone to the extent of providing land for the beneficiaries so that

they find space from which to operate. The rest of the councils have scores ranging from

63% to 78% in terms of the support they gave to the beneficiaries.

Support varied from counselling services to provision of venues for workshops and even

housing in the case of Manyame RDC who managed to get one beneficiary land to build a

house. Excerpt from Manyame RDC case study with Stephen Chimbindi (GFP) by Loverage

Nhamoyebonde.

54

76

90 84

78 76 76 76 75 74 69

63

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Figure 7.1 Rating of council support: regional, Zimbabwe and councils

46

Bulawayo City Council extending

its support: “Bulawayo City Council

is one of the first councils to partner

with GL in the Centres of Excellence

for Gender in Local Government

programme. The council has been in

the COE programme since 2010 and

in the last 5 years has demonstrated

with vigour that the council is truly a

COE. Having won the best urban

council in Zimbabwe award at the

National Summit held in June 2015,

the council went on to represent

Zimbabwe at the regional level in the

COE category as well as emerging

entrepreneurs where they excelled.”

This Gender Focal Person, Audrey

Manyemwe, has been very instrumental in ensuring that the council is pushing towards

mainstreaming gender in the council, something the council has done well. Key to this is the

work she put in to the entrepreneurship programme by playing a facilitators role as council

offered GL space for conducting training.

Of major importance is how the council has tried to help the entrepreneurs through the

council existing structures. The council has a vocational training centre that builds capacity

of individuals through education and training in various technical skills that include basket-

making among others. Their main target is young girls who have dropped out of school due

to pregnancy.

It is imperative to note that one of the project beneficiaries is currently enrolled at the VTC.

Manyemwe highlighted that the council through the Community Services department has

come up with projects that seek to assist women and improve their economic stature. These

include youth centres, home craft and women‟s clubs.

“When we joined the FLOW programme we used the structures I have mentioned to identify

the beneficiaries of the project. Bulawayo seeks to improve the quality of their service

provision and such interventions will surely go a long way into helping women to attain

economic independence. “ Case study interview with Audrey Manyemwe by Loverage

Nhamoyebonde.

Audrey Manyemwe Bulawayo City Council GFP Photo: Loverage Nhamoyebonde

http://gemcommunity.genderlinks.org.za/gallery/main.php?g2_itemI

d=56480

47

Table 7.1 Breakdown of rating for council support. Area Assessed Country Average

Score

Participation of GFP and GC in the workshops i.e. attended, gave input etc.

100%

Helping to identify the target group. 99%

Council provision of venues at no or reduced cost 95%

Strengthening of the council‟s gender action plan as a result of the project

95%

More supportive attitude towards ending GBV in their locality as a result of the project

94%

Contribution to organising participants for workshops 93%

Support for the project at top leadership level e.g. CEO, Town Clerk, Mayor

90%

Access to market stands 90%

Profiling of the project 88%

More supportive attitudes towards women‟s economic empowerment as a result of the project

86%

Ownership of the project 84%

Willingness to support the women in between and after the workshops

84%

Input by council staff during the workshops 79%

Helping to ensure participation of the same participants at each stage

78%

Assistance by the Council in identifying government services and support available locally

78%

Assistance by the council in identifying CBOs and NGOs to participate

78%

Assistance by the Council in identifying private sector companies to attend workshops/offer support

66%

Access to land 64%

Additional training or mentorship 63%

Access to computers/IT 58%

Assistance by the Council in identifying financial services or funds 56%

Support for opening bank accounts 54%

Access to council jobs 46%

Access to start-up finance 46%

Access to council procurement/ sub-contracting possibilities 35%

Table 7.1 gives a breakdown of council scores for Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe‟s Gender Focal Persons and Gender Champions always participated in workshops. This is attested by the 100% participation rate. This can be attributed to the COE Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops as well as induction workshops for councillors to advance the empowerment of women. In addition, 99% of councils had their GFPs and GCs assisting in the identification of participants especially in Victoria Falls and Zvimba. 95% of the councils provided free venues for running project workshops. Critically Zimbabwe‟s councils have strengthened their gender action plans as a result of the project. There are however areas in which Zimbabwe‟s councils are perceived to have scored low. These include access to council procurement which was at 35%. Though, councils are being encouraged through the Local Economic Development (LED) module in the Centres of Excellence (COE) process to economically empower their communities, it has become tedious to award contracts to locals let alone women, as national legislative provisions are stringent.

48

Community attitudes One of the objectives of the programme is to ensure that community attitudes change, providing a more supportive environment. These are measured through the Gender Progress Score (GPS) administered in each council at the beginning and end of the programme.

Figure 7.2 shows that overall the GPS increased from 61% to 63% in the 101 councils that GL worked in. The overall average for Zimbabwe rose from 59% to 62%, slightly below the regional average. Chiredzi, Chitungwiza and Chegutu experienced the highest positive variance of ten percentage points. Other councils that showed an increase were Gweru and Manyame while Bulawayo remained the same. Goromonzi, Kadoma, Victoria Falls and Zvimba experienced a regression.

61 59 66

52 52

67 61

54 55

66

50

65 63 62 63 62 62 61 61 61 61 60 60 60

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Figure 7.2 Gender Progress Score in community progress versus baseline: region, Zimbabwe and councils

Baseline Progress

49

8. CHANGE AT SOCIETAL LEVEL

A key question is what the desired changes at this level are and how do we get there? What are the desired goals in the longer term for the achievement of real change in society to end GBV and liberate women economically? The programme has provided some evidence to suggest that there is a link between economic independence and a reduction in GBV at the individual and close relationship level. The project has generated interest and provided skills and knowledge to enhance understanding at the local government and community level. The bigger challenge for the long term is the public realm of power which ultimately defines national policy and strategy that impact on the lives of citizens. It is essential that in the post 2015 agenda that urgent attention is paid to the scourge of GBV and the economic status of women in Zimbabwe where GBV levels are very high. The 2015 Gender Protocol Barometer calls for the strengthening of legal and policy frameworks to address all forms of violence against women at country level, the adoption and reforms of laws; increased efforts to implement and enforce laws and improve women's access to justice and continued efforts to adopt and improve national action plans. Further to the post 2015 targets, it is essential that countries in SADC including Zimbabwe seek to attain the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is so in particular reference to SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, whose targets among others is to eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. The effectiveness of this programme is hinged on the design of functioning monitoring and evaluation system at all levels. This is dependent on committed leadership, coordinated efforts amongst stakeholders and greater visibility of the issues presented by the GBV epidemic. At the heart of GBV is patriarchy. Attention needs to be given to the cultural and traditional practices that undermine the rights and status of women in line with the provisions of the constitution. Perhaps it is also prudent that this course incorporates training of some sort to traditional leaders so that GBV issues are not shunned in their communities. National Policies and empowerment schemes in-country must be inclusive. It must not turn a blind eye to the needs of women. As the saying goes, “empower a woman, empower a nation”. Zimbabwe in particular has a restrictive procurement process governed by the State Procurement Board (SPB) which makes it difficult for entrepreneurs to bid for contracts. It is essential that training and information is availed to all communities on the necessary documentation and procedures one needs to take to become registered. Having laid some of the groundwork at a local level, it is essential that GL continues to reinforce the COE work at a local level and to work towards cascading these achievements to provincial and national government structures and ministries. To achieve change at the societal level GL needs to work with partners and the Alliance in ensuring that GBV is reduced. Key to achieving reinforcement of the goals are the annual SADC Gender Protocol Summits and Awards which aim to achieve the following at local, country and regional level:

50

Take stock of the progress made through the gathering of SADC Gender Protocol@Work case studies at the local/municipal level, in government, civil society, Faith Based Organisations and the media, as well as across the key theme areas of the SADC Gender Protocol.

Developing a critical citizenry around the SADC Gender Protocol and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Strengthen the gender movement from local to national to regional to international level. The Summits bring together best practices in the thematic areas of GL work including the COE in media and local government initiatives, HIV/Aids, GBV reduction and economic justice. In Zimbabwe in 2015, the National Summit brought together over 142 guests and participants at Pandhari Hotel and Conference Centre in Harare in June. These included partners from Local government, media and the Alliance under the banner “Now and Post 2015”. This summit marked the approaching of the deadline for the MDGs and the 28 targets of the SADC Gender Protocol.

The ministry of local government issued a circular to all councils encouraging them to take ownership of reducing levels of gender based violence in their communities has now influenced councils to implement their GBV action plans. Manyame RDC for example took a deliberate effort to provide a residential stand to one GBV survivor. Kadoma City Council is now offering counselling services to survivors. An increasing number of councils now set aside budgets for GBV awareness programmes for example in 2015 Zvimba RDC set aside USD 6000 for 16 days activities.

Through the entrepreneurship programme, interface between the two ministries of gender and local government has increased. For example, the programme saw the active participation of officials from the Ministry of Women Affairs Gender and Community Development at the training workshops. GBV issues now have community ownership, local banks such as ZB bank came in to support the programme by offering credit facilities particularly for beneficiaries from Gweru City Council.

Further engagements with the key stakeholders like the Ministry of Small to Medium Enterprises will be critical to enhance access to small loans and credits for the emerging entrepreneurs.

51

9. VALUE FOR MONEY

GL like most developmental agencies is in touch with trends and has adopted cost-saving strategies which contributed to Value for Money (VFM) in most of its programming. Likewise this principle was adopted with the FLOW project. It is imperative to note that almost all councils in Zimbabwe contributed in one way or the other to helping GL to achieve VFM. Table 9.1: Value for Money savings for Zimbabwe

COUNCIL Event or contribution for VFM (describe) Total in USD

ZIMBABWE

Phase 1

Chegutu - Venue 3,455.00

Gweru - Venue 2,075.75

Chiredzi - Venue 2,075.75

Phase 3 Chitungwiza & Goromonzi -combined workshop

1,515.60

Kadoma & Chegutu -combined workshop 2,439.00

Repeat I stories

Kadoma & Chegutu -combined workshop 700.00

Bulawayo - travel 230.00

All councils - venue 3,430.00

15,921.10

Table 9.1 illustrates the VFM contributed by Zimbabwe‟s councils. Zimbabwe‟s councils contributed a total saving of USD15921.00 to the FLOW project. This money was saved as a result of provision of venues by councils like Chegutu, Gweru and Chiredzi in phase 1 of the project. These councils contributed a total of USD7606.50. Other savings were from combined workshops, as GL maximised on the close proximity of councils. These combined workshops were done for Chitungwiza and Goromonzi as well as Kadoma and Chegutu. These councils contributed USD4654.60. Travel sponsorship contributed USD230.00. Though low, these figures highlight the commitment councils in Zimbabwe have put in advancing gender issues in their council. It also shows the commitment of councils to end GBV as well as the fact that the councils are implementing their GBV action plans.

52

Table 9.2: Increased earnings as a result of the project

Table 9.2 provides information on monthly and annual increases in income as a result of the project. It shows that overall in 2015, the annual net income of women in Zimbabwe increased from USD90,203 before the project to USD254,510 after the project representing a 65% increase, which is one percentage point lower than the regional net income increase. The annual net income for women in Zimbabwe‟s councils increased considerably with Chegutu Municipality having the highest percentage increase in annual net income of 218%. Prior to the start of the programme, Chegutu had a negative variance of (5734.00) in annual net income. With the exception of two councils Kadoma and Zvimba whose annual net incomes decreased by 13% and 57% respectively, the rest of the councils managed to record increased annual net incomes. This can be attributed in part to the diversity that some entrepreneurs now have, in addition to strict accounting procedures as evidenced by the 96% of entrepreneurs who said they followed their business plan.

Monthly net income

before project

A

Annual net income before Project

B

Monthly net income after

project C

Annual net income after

project D

Increase from

before to after

project (D-B)

% Increase

Amounts are in US Dollars (USD)

Regional

25,401.97

304,823.67

74,927.53

899,130.33

594,306.66

66%

Zimbabwe

7,516.92

90,203.00

21,209.17

254,510.00

164,307.00

65%

Chegutu

(477.83)

(5,734.00)

404.75

4,857.00

10,591.00

218%

Chitungwiza

26.50

318.00

2,249.25

26,991.00

26,673.00

99%

Chiredzi

218.08

2,617.00

1,830.08

21,961.00

19,344.00

88%

Gweru

501.08

6,013.00

3,266.58

39,199.00

33,186.00

85%

Bulawayo

376.67

4,520.00

2,370.83

28,450.00

23,930.00

84%

Manyame

855.75

10,269.00

3,336.17

40,034.00

29,765.00

74%

Goromonzi

1,035.00

12,420.00

2,426.67

29,120.00

16,700.00

57%

Victoria Falls

892.75

10,713.00

1,931.42

23,177.00

12,464.00

54%

Kadoma

3,211.75

38,541.00

2,835.92

34,031.00

(4,510.00)

-13%

Zvimba

877.17

10,526.00

557.50

6,690.00

(3,836.00)

-57%

53

“Partnerships are the backbone of the sustainability of any institution.” – The

case of NetOne in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe office has made great strides in ensuring

that they are on course for ensuring their sustainability. The FLOW project managed to open

up a great opportunity. GL Zimbabwe and NetOne (a

mobile network provider), got into a partnership that

saw NetOne working with some of the beneficiaries of

the project. NetOne has given the women a source of

income through its vendor programme for women to sell

and market their merchandise on a commission basis.

This has seen the betterment of the emerging

entrepreneurs‟ lives. Of particular interest is that the

incomes of some of the beneficiaries have vastly

improved.

In Manyame RDC where some of the project

beneficiaries are benefitting from this partnership, the

annual net income increased from USD 10,269.00 before

the project to USD 40,034.00 after the project (see

Table 9.2). This figure is set to rise even more. The

partnership also saw NetOne playing a pivotal role at the

2015 Zimbabwe National Summit as NetOne contributed

USD650 in prices to the winners that is mobile phones

and lines. Small beginnings they may have been but it

was worth the while as this one singular event paved way to the drafting of a Memorandum

of Understanding between the two organisations. This will further strengthen the

organization‟s position in terms of attracting funding and venturing into other areas of

collaboration.

The partnership will also serve as a basis for monitoring and evaluating (M&E) the progress

of the emerging entrepreneurs as they conduct their business, coupled with the NetOne

vendor programme, thus offering diversity. Through the use of well-structured M&E tools GL

will be able to save on people power as the use of NetOne records as well as field reports

will provide GL with a monitoring background. Likewise GL will take advantage of these field

visits to also administer its own relevant M&E tools. The field visits will also help in

mentoring the emerging entrepreneurs.

Through this partnership it is envisaged that other areas of collaboration will be established

which will also help in leveraging the work that GL is doing. Of note is the work on the

Centres of Excellence (COE) programme, to which NetOne will be sponsoring a floating

trophy to the best COE council at the National Summit. Along with other incentives, this will

help in ensuring that GL achieves and maintains good VFM strategies, some of which will

include „going green‟ and use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs). It is

essential that this partnership is nurtured so that GL can maximize on the expertise that

NetOne possesses.

Integrated training approaches will also serve as a monitoring mechanism for both

organizations thus saving each other on duplicate training costs in material and resources.

On the whole this partnership will be used a sustainable mechanism for growth of the

emerging entrepreneurs as well as the continued existence of the FLOW project. Going

Reward Kangai, Netone Managing Director making remarks at the National Summit; Harare; Zimbabwe. Photo: Gender Links. http://gemcommunity.genderlinks.org.za/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=53702

54

forward it is also essential for this partnership to inculcate the same VFM principles to the

beneficiaries of this project so that VFM is realized in a threefold manner.

Victoria Falls is an example of how councils provide in-kind support: The

Municipality was involved in the Entrepreneurship programme in 2014 and up to date the

uptake of the programme has been very good. Besides the training that GL has been

conducting in which the Council also fully participated, the local authority has been working

closely with the participants through the Gender Champion. The Council continues to

incorporate and lobby for the engagement of the participants in entrepreneurship activities.

When GL came up with the programme, the onus was also on the GFP and the Gender

Champion to recruit people to participants for the

programme. The task involved convincing people who were

tired of promises that were never delivered. According to the

GFP, the task was not an easy one.

“For us to be able to recruit a sizeable number into the

programme was definitely not an easy task and for us to

maintain that close contact with the participants for the

continuity of the programme demanded more commitment

from us and we did it with perfection,” Brian Nyamande.

The Council supports the participants during and after the

workshops through maintaining close contact for moral support. The women always liaise

with the Council whenever they face challenges in their businesses and the local authority

would help whenever possible. The Council also linked the women to participate in

important activities conducted by other organisations. “We recently referred some

participants to Environment Africa so that they further sharpen their skills,” Nyamande.

Victoria Falls Municipality provides council facilities free of charge. They also assist in

logistics since they have the data base on all the required information about the community.

They also help in liaising with other relevant authorities like the police whenever workshops

are to be conducted. The Council provides manpower whenever there is need to do so. The

Council has a facility where they are allocating land to emerging entrepreneurs. They have a

home industry project in Nkosana suburbs and they are encouraging women to form groups

which are very easy to service. There is evidence of the presence of quite a number of

schemes targeting different social groups and entrepreneurship programme participants fall

into those different categories hence set to benefit.

Change in the Council operations as a result of the project is evidenced through increased

deliberate desire to allocate resources towards the entrepreneurship programme. There is

an economic development department which is helping the Council to cultivate

entrepreneurship activities into our programmes. The project strengthened the Council‟s

plans to promote entrepreneurship.

“The entrepreneurial spirit that has been dormant in the hearts of people had suddenly

become cultivated. We are now having a lot of questions biased towards entrepreneurship

during budget consultative meetings. The situation pushed Council to formally document its

Brian Nyamande Gender focal person for the Victoria Falls Municipality: Photo Cuthbert Maposa. http://gemcommunity.genderlinks.org.za/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=3

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plans towards promotion of SMEs.” Interview with Brian Nyamande by Loverage

Nhamoyebonde.

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10. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Figure 10.1 Overall rating of the project – regional, Zimbabwe and councils

Figure 10.1 shows an overall average rating of the programme in Zimbabwe of 90% compared to the regional score of 89%. Victoria Falls, with 99%, achieved the highest score. Overall Zimbabwe scores ranged from 73% to 99%. It is imperative to note that most of the women in Zimbabwe‟s councils had already established businesses. It is against this background that the programme received such high ratings as participants had their businesses improved. Nyaradzo Masamba, Zvimba RDC is a classic example of how her business

improved. She states that her business failed to produce positive results because she

lacked the discipline of an entrepreneur and this negatively impacted on the efficiency of her

operations. The main challenge that affected her business was the failure to separate her

personal life from the business. Masamba commented that, "The business is now stable and

running smoothly and I am enjoying the benefits. I managed to acquire a housing stand and

construction work is in progress". Changing lives story interview by Loverage

Nhamoyebonde.

89% 90%

99% 98% 97% 95% 92% 92%

88% 87%

77% 73%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

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Figure 10.2 Rating of the project in the ten areas assessed

Figure 10.2 breaks down the ratings for 10 areas of impact in Zimbabwe. The scores for Zimbabwe were fairly high ranging from 82% to 95% on areas which ranged from being helped to develop IT skills to getting new ideas. 95% of the project beneficiaries highlighted that they got new ideas. In essence this shown in their ability to improve their markets. In essence most participants are on record as saying that they improved their business and even diversified. Annex A provides GL‟s SWOT analysis of the project and next steps. Internal strengths Gender Links has piloted a unique model for ending GBV by the economic empowerment of survivors of GBV through entrepreneurship and local government GBV action planning. The programme has been piloted, tested and assessed with M&E tools developed in house based on best practise. Baseline and follow up research was done to measure change. Women survivors participated voluntary through an introduction by local government agencies involved in the support of abused women. The project aimed to enhance agency through economic independence. Internal challenges Entrepreneurships was a new area of activity for Gender Links and the literature provided little to guide the development of the model, as substantial research on economic empowerment and the reduction of GBV has not been widely done. In addition staff had largely not done entrepreneurship work before and this meant requiring new skills to run the project. Councils were selected which were often very far apart or far from the office and this presented logistical challenges in terms of staff time, costs and arrangements. Planning of workshop timetables were not always optimally planned for impact and support not provided between workshops to support the women. Many councils did offer to assist. Funding for the project ended at the end of 2015.

82%

82%

85%

86%

93%

94%

94%

94%

95%

95%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Helped me to develop my IT skills

Connected me to sources of finance

Connected me to opportunities created by my council

Connected me to new markets

Gave me useful information about where I could get…

Helped to build my confidence

Gave me new skills

Connected me to others facing similar challenges to me

Gave me choices that helped to reduce the violence in…

Gave me new ideas

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Internal opportunities The project is adding to the body of knowledge on the relationship between economic independence and GBV and based on an analysis of the pilot; can provide a workable model for reducing GBV. The manuals can be revised and accredited by training authorities when model is fine tuned. The model can be extended to more councils once the backstopping of the pilot phase is completed in 2016. There is an opportunity to strengthen good councils and link them with weaker councils. Selection criteria for councils will be modified to formally identify the resources and willingness of the council to take on the project; to improve the support provided by councils. This will be done as a focussed approach for each individual council. A revised and more focussed model will likely be more attractive to donors and other sources of funding such as the private sector. The private sector needs to be targeted for funding. Once consolidated and revised the project can prepare new councils for a roll out in 2017. External strengths The willingness of survivors of GBV to share their stories and build their confidence and life skills was a major strength of the programme. The ability for this to translate into better relationship control and a decrease in experiences of GBV for many was a positive outcome. Gender and GBV action plans have been revised to include economic mainstreaming at council level. In kind support and free venues from councils for training and managing the programme resulted in cost savings and value for money. GL Zimbabwe programming is such that it has been able to build the capacity of GFPs through various trainings so that they may assist their councils as well as GL to advance gender-related work in their councils Challenges Literacy levels of some of the participants were low and as some participants could neither read nor write. This saw facilitations sometime take longer than usual as sessions had to be extended. Some participants especially those from rural councils were not able to attend the workshops on time and often had to leave early as they travelled long distances to get to the venues. The participants lacked the necessary finance to run a business, often relying on allowances they got from GL to start-up their businesses. According to the World Bank (2015) Lack of finance is a major constraint to the growth of female-owned enterprises. They assert that on average, women have less access to basic banking services such as checking and saving accounts. As a result, many female entrepreneurs rely on their own savings, loans from family and friends, or micro-loans to finance their business needs. However, the small size and short-term nature of micro-loans do not allow women borrowers to make long-term investments in their businesses. This is a trend that Zimbabwe has been noticing with the entrepreneurs. Opportunities The model can be revised to maximise impact. Funding opportunities are still to be established. There is need to approach the private sector for additional resources. Zimbabwe has already stepped up efforts to ensure that this is on cue by forging a partnership with mobile service provider NetOne, with whom a MoU will be finalized shortly. Next steps

The programme has fairly achieved the level of impact that was hoped for in some areas;

perceptions of local government participation at 38% and dropout rates were high. Council

support varied, but in general could have been higher. Some of the outcomes can be

attributed to long delays between workshops and the long distances between councils which

made logistical arrangements a challenge for facilitators and staff interact6ing with councils.

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Valuable lessons have been learnt and give an opportunity to consolidate and revise aspects

of the pilot project.

Honing the model, workshop materials and accreditation: The original

manuals must be translated into our local languages as literacy levels of some of the

participants tended to be low. Thus the translation of manuals will prove to be of

help to those who face the challenges of reading. It is imperative that GL Zimbabwe,

just like at head office look at the possibilities accrediting the course with the

relevant authorities so that GL may become a training institute.

Inclusion of entrepreneurs‟ partners in future trainings: One of the critical

elements that this research gathered was that 3% of the participants reiterated that

they still experienced the same violence they had been subjected to prior to the

training. 6% stated that they were now experiencing much worse GBV in their

relationships. It is against this background that GL should also look at training the

partners of the survivors at some point in the programme.

Selection of councils for 2017: Just like in the COE process, GL should look to

targeting councils from both urban and rural councils in all of Zimbabwe‟s 10

provinces. It is essential that councils are not secluded on the basis of reach,

financial capacity and proximity. It is however necessary to check the quality of „I‟

stories as well as educational background of the beneficiaries so that filling in of M&E

tools will not be challenge.

Training of council staff for sustaining the programme: GL should look to

train their GFPs as well as officials from the MWAGCD with entrepreneurship skills.

Relevant staff in the backstopped councils in 2016 will receive training on

programme content, logistics and management to facilitate the ongoing funning of

the project. New councils for 2017 will receive this training as well.

Financing: Funding sources should be sought for in 2 fold, i.e. for the program and for the beneficiaries. These need to be identified prior to the roll out of the project in new councils. This includes from the private sector, like minded NGOs, micro and macro finance institutions, donor agencies as well as government agencies (MWAGCD).

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Annex A: Project strengths, challenges, opportunities and way forward.

Strengths Challenges Opportunities Next steps

Internal Methodology Unique approach to ending GBV Manuals developed in house M&E tools developed in house The programme has been piloted,

tested and assessed and is ready to be cascaded with a few revisions

New area of activity Funding not available for

translating into local languages

Add to body of knowledge Offer the training more

broadly and for a fee The programme can be

cascaded to other provinces and councils

Twin strong councils with weak councils

Produce a DVD Revise manuals and tools in

line with what has been learnt

Raise funds Link councils in a “hub and

spoke” arrangement to cut down on costs and logistics and enhance sustainability

Participation 150 women participated

Levels of literacy and numeracy were low in some councils

Selection criteria were broad and therefore workshops groups were often at different levels of literacy and understanding

Review Selection criteria and literacy levels

Revise selection criteria Clarity on target population

Logistics Women trained in 10 urban and rural councils

Distances travelled to councils and between councils were long and logistically challenging

Planning of workshop timetables was not always optimally planned for impact

Can be extended to many more councils and provinces

Create relationships between councils for support and peer learning

Revise timetable to suit needs of the participants

Review selection process to cut down on distances

Twin councils for peer learning and support

External Impact on GBV Willingness of survivors of GBV to

share their stories Increased the confidence and life

skills Decrease in experiences of GBV Gender and GBV action plans

have been revised to include economic mainstreaming at council level

Dropout rates for training

Survivors have set up their own networks to support other women and this can be integrated into the programme going forward

Review model and selection of councils to maximise impact

Select COEs with the resources and willingness to provide support to women in the longer term

Link councils Extend the programme to

other institutions that support GBV survivors

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Strengths Challenges Opportunities Next steps

Funding Funding for the pilot In kind support and free venues

from councils for training and managing the programme

Recognition from donors

Ongoing funding Support from private sector

Diversify funding base Approach private sector

Review funding strategy and

approach diversified funding base

Existing framework of COE councils to work with

Lack of commitment from some councils

Poor post training support from some councils

Funding to expand the programme

Backstopping of weak councils Twining of strong and weak

councils

Raise funding for expansion of the project to 10 more councils in each country

Twin weak and strong councils for peer learning and support

Training of council staff

Backstopping with existing councils

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